Honoring MLK Day: The Intersection of Civil Rights and Disability Rights

As we observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 19, we pause to honor a leader whose vision of justice transformed the nation. At Boundless, this day is more than a commemoration; it is a reminder that the work of building an inclusive society is ongoing. Dr. King’s efforts during the civil rights movement were not only about racial equality; they were about dismantling systems of oppression and creating a world where every person could live with dignity and opportunity. His message of inclusion continues to resonate far beyond the era in which he lived. 

Dr. King believed that equality could not be selective. His call for systemic change inspired generations to challenge discrimination in all its forms, whether based on race, gender, or ability. His insistence that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” reminds us that progress is interconnected. The fight for civil rights opened doors for other movements, including the struggle for disability rights. 

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), passed in 1990, was a landmark achievement that reflected the principles of the civil rights movement. The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodations, and government services. It was a transformative law that recognized accessibility as a civil right, ensuring that people with disabilities could participate fully in society. Like the fight for racial equality, the ADA sought to remove barriers (physical, social, and legal) that excluded people from opportunities others take for granted. Both movements share a common thread: the belief that every individual deserves equal access to education, employment, transportation, and community life. 

At Boundless, we know that advocacy is not a moment; it is a movement. While progress has been made, there is still work to do to ensure that inclusion and accessibility are not just ideals but realities. Together, we can build a future where everyone, regardless of race, ability, or background, has the opportunity to thrive. 

Join Us in Continuing the Movement 

Boundless advocates for policies and programs that promote inclusion and accessibility; however, we can’t do this work without you. As Dominique Thobaben, Corporate and Foundation Relations Director at Boundless, explains: “Your support makes quality, person-centered services accessible and helps create a more inclusive society.” Donate today to contribute to this movement.

Interested in Reading More? 

NAACP Legal Defense Fund. (2023, July 31). Disability rights and racial justice. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.naacpldf.org/disability-rights-and-racial-justice/ 

Smithsonian Institution. (n.d.). EveryBody: An artifact history of disability in America. National Museum of American History. Retrieved January 6, 2026, from https://americanhistory.si.edu/explore/exhibitions/everybody/words 

US History Timeline. (n.d.). The civil rights movement and the fight for disability rights. Retrieved January 6, 2026, from https://usahistorytimeline.com/pages/the-civil-rights-movement-and-the-fight-for-disability-rights-7e8ae956.php